Lidl-Trek (no longer Radioshack-Leopard Trek)

[Beech Mtn]

^Thanks RR.

So, that would leave only 6 guys who could be brought over from Radioshack to the new team. I'm assuming it would also mean that Hermans/Rast would remain on the new LeoShack team, whether they wanted out or not.

Wonder who the 6 are that Bruyneel will bring. If the rumors are true about Brajkovic wanting out, and Astana wanting to sign him, it sounds like he could leave. But a guy like Fuglsang would be stuck at the new team whether he wanted to stay or not.

Will be interesting to see a final roster for these guys. I could see Kloeden and Zubeldia staying on - the Bruyneel plan has provided them a safe haven in the past, why risk rocking the boat now?

 

[badboyberty]

Can anybody verify/comment on an interview with Becca that apparently appeared in today's L'Equipe? According to the SaxoBank-Sungard team fan forum:



It looks like this was only the print edition of the paper - I can't find a shortened version online anywhere, so have to quote the post from the Saxo forum.

I suspect Hermans and Rast can be crossed off confirmed the Leopard list, I think they'll be able to argue that resigning to Radioshack wasn't a part of the deal they signed. I suspect Horner has at least been chatting to George and Cadel about a stable job in Swizterland, and there's a bit of me that suspects Brajkovic may have been making the odd job enquiry, carrying Frandy's bottles may not have been his objective for 2012.

At this stage the only star riders I count as definitely confirmed are Frandy, Kloden, Voigt and Cancellara. I think Brajkovic will stay, leadership at the Giro may be in his contract, but won't be surprised if he doesn't. Rast may also hang around as I think he's keen to work with Cancellera. All other bets are off because I think European workplace rules will let anyone argue that conditions are significantly different enough to make most Leopard contracts effectively void.

 

[Race Radio]

Options are very limited right now. Most teams are at, or near, their roster and budget limit for next year. It will be a challenge for some

 

[ansimi]

I suspect Hermans and Rast can be crossed off confirmed the Leopard list, I think they'll be able to argue that resigning to Radioshack wasn't a part of the deal they signed. I suspect Horner has at least been chatting to George and Cadel about a stable job in Swizterland, and there's a bit of me that suspects Brajkovic may have been making the odd job enquiry, carrying Frandy's bottles may not have been his objective for 2012.

At this stage the only star riders I count as definitely confirmed are Frandy, Kloden, Voigt and Cancellara. I think Brajkovic will stay, leadership at the Giro may be in his contract, but won't be surprised if he doesn't. Rast may also hang around as I think he's keen to work with Cancellera. All other bets are off because I think European workplace rules will let anyone argue that conditions are significantly different enough to make most Leopard contracts effectively void.

I'm pretty sure that Zubeldia and Irizar signed extensions after the takeover so I would think that their contracts should be solid. I agree that Leopard riders who want out and can find a new team should be able to prove their contracts void.

 

[mewmewmew13]

It will indeed be interesting to see where Horner lands. The way he was speaking in the article it sounded like he did not have much going in the way of options..

I would think the old politics and bridge-burning rules are coming into play about now.

 

[webvan]

Strange news...surely the RS guys mentioned in the original PR would have a case if they wanted to stay and they weren't offered a contract in the end?

 

[thehog]

This is correct. CSE is the team that is folding so all of their riders are out of a job. Some have found work, Paulinho should announce tomorrow he signed with Saxo.

Funny how CSE signed deals with Horner and Kloden, even though they already knew they were not going to be around next year. Horner still does not know where he will be riding next year.

Fuglsang certainly is not happy with the changes
http://ekstrabladet.dk/sport/cykling/article1620742.ece

It would be funny if were not so serious. Its text-book Hog. Making sure Kloden et al didn't sign with another team if the Leopard deal fell through. Now he's going toss who is surplus to the need.

I'm beginning to think that this is all going to fall apart and Andy will be worse off than last year.

 

[Sophistic]

Its borderline criminal behaviour to me, if i was Horner or Brajkovic i would rather take a pay cut and go somewhere else than to ride for someone who has cheated on me that way.

 

[Christian]

Can anybody verify/comment on an interview with Becca that apparently appeared in today's L'Equipe? According to the SaxoBank-Sungard team fan forum:



It looks like this was only the print edition of the paper - I can't find a shortened version online anywhere, so have to quote the post from the Saxo forum.

I'll go out and buy the paper then I can maybe confirm.

One of the remaining slots is also rumoured to be filled by neo-pro Bob Jungels. As for Hermanns and Rast - I think Rast will be fine, I haven't heard him complain about RadioShack, I might have missed it though. He was signed as a lieutenant to Cancellara and that is still the same even with Bruyneel on board. Hermanns on the other hand might be able to leave and I imagine he wants to. I also think it's a shame Pires, Rohregger and Mortensen look like they won't get a new contract, although I feel like I read somewhere Rohregger might have good chances. But then again if they find a good ride on a smaller team they'll be much better off anyways. Pires probably to return to the Portuguese Continental scene though I assume.

 

[Race Radio]

One of the remaining slots is also rumoured to be filled by neo-pro Bob Jungels.

This would make sense as they need 2 Neo-Pros

Some of the Shack riders will be going to UHC

 

[Zaschrona]

This would make sense as they need 2 Neo-Pros

They don't need urgently to take another neo-pro, they already have 2 neo-pros which they need to expand the maximum size of squad to 30 riders. These 2 riders are Giacomo Nizzolo and William Clarke. Possibly Jesse Sergent and Benjamin King will be neo-pros as well.

 

[webvan]

This is correct. CSE is the team that is folding so all of their riders are out of a job. Some have found work, Paulinho should announce tomorrow he signed with Saxo.

Done

Funny how CSE signed deals with Horner and Kloden, even though they already knew they were not going to be around next year. Horner still does not know where he will be riding next year.

Looks like he can stay in the merged team since his name was in the PR.

 

[Race Radio]

They don't need urgently to take another neo-pro, they already have 2 neo-pros which they need to expand the maximum size of squad to 30 riders. These 2 riders are Giacomo Nizzolo and William Clarke. Possibly Jesse Sergent and Benjamin King will be neo-pros as well.

All of those riders are Neo-Pro's for 2011. Wouldn't they need 2 for 2012?

 

[Christian]

Can anybody verify/comment on an interview with Becca that apparently appeared in today's L'Equipe? According to the SaxoBank-Sungard team fan forum:



It looks like this was only the print edition of the paper - I can't find a shortened version online anywhere, so have to quote the post from the Saxo forum.

Didn't find anything in today's edition. It's all about rugby (who the hell cares?!). Oh, by the way - you owe me 1,10€

 

[Ferminal]

All of those riders are Neo-Pro's for 2011. Wouldn't they need 2 for 2012?

They are neo-pros for 2 years, although that may not be the case for any Shacks which go across if their contract is void.

 

[Beech Mtn]

Didn't find anything in today's edition. It's all about rugby (who the hell cares?!). Oh, by the way - you owe me 1,10€

Crap! Sorry Christian. I think we may have had a time zone problem. I'm Eastern time, US, and I read that post on the Saxo forum early Sunday evening, my time. The poster over there is supposedly from France, and said s/he had read it in L'Equipe. So I assumed it was in the Sunday paper, and that maybe somebody on here had seen it.

I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere else online, and I know how L'Equipe puts stuff only in print that isn't on their website, so was looking for info. Sorry again.

But really, is there absolutely nothing about this LeoRadioNissanTrek merger that can just be straightforward and simple? Just release the damn roster already, Johan!

 

[eleven]

Guess you missed, or ignored, this. Detailed interview with RadioShack's chief marketing officer, Lee Applbaum.

http://espn.go.com/olympics/cycling/story/_/id/6962005/radioshack-leopard-trek-deal-intriguing-start

But no press release on their website?

 

[DirtyWorks]

They should undoubtedly go well. At least Bruyneel cannot make Andy worse, than 2nd 3 times in a row. And Bruyneel will probably trust in him unlike Anderson. ( Maybe some training rides with LA might help ) They should also get the teams classification at the TDF and at least 2 other riders in the top 10. Cancellara could win a few classics. All in all they should get a lot of UCI points.

1. The Hog has never been closely associated with the concept of trust.
2. One-day classics guys are screwed. The Hog does not have the tactical depth to play one-day races and win. The absence of one-day podium results makes it pretty clear. I hope Spartacus likes being a super-domestique for 2012.
3. I predict a sudden increase in power output from the Schlecks at the 2012 TdF. Whatever they ride before, they will be pack filler. Maybe top-20 pack filler.
4. Spring training in Tenerife! Have they opened a Yellow Rose there yet?

I wish it weren't true, but this is Pat, Hein, and The Hog. They are all part of the same den of thieves.

 

[Cobblestoned]

But no press release on their website?

It might take another 11 hours till he gets it.

 

[Cobblestoned]

1. The Hog has never been closely associated with the concept of trust.
2. One-day classics guys are screwed. The Hog does not have the tactical depth to play one-day races and win. The absence of one-day podium results makes it pretty clear. I hope Spartacus likes being a super-domestique for 2012.
3. I predict a sudden increase in power output from the Schlecks at the 2012 TdF. Whatever they ride before, they will be pack filler. Maybe top-20 pack filler.
4. Spring training in Tenerife! Have they opened a Yellow Rose there yet?

I wish it weren't true, but this is Pat, Hein, and The Hog. They are all part of the same den of thieves.

Oh, man. Glass still half empty filled with hate ?

1. ....whatever
2. They are not screwed because the Hog and any other DS needs some cards to play.
Cancellara is very good card now. The ace. Even if Johan should lack knowledge in one-day races, he has other very experienced and successfull people who definately know much about this.
3. Good luck with that. lol
4. The Teneriffa jokes a really getting old, same for yellow rose, but this should still work for ordinary people on mission.

Sad story for you, hmmm ? The Hog still around. A total nightmare.

 

[Zaschrona]

2. One-day classics guys are screwed. The Hog does not have the tactical depth to play one-day races and win. The absence of one-day podium results makes it pretty clear. I hope Spartacus likes being a super-domestique for 2012.

I hate Bruyneel so much, but this isn't truth. He had many podium results in classics in old US Postal times with Hincapie, Hoste, Armstrong and some other riders as well..

 

[Polish]

3. I predict a sudden increase in power output from the Schlecks at the 2012 TdF. Whatever they ride before, they will be pack filler. Maybe top-20 pack filler.
.

So you are predicting that 2012 will be like 2011?

Doubt that.
Bruyneel is now in charge.
Expect results.
Shack Attack.

BTW, Frank or Andy have never won any GT.
And Andy has never won ANY stage race, Tour of California or otherwise.

Expect things to change lol.

 

[Bicicleta]

I hate Bruyneel so much, but this isn't truth. He had many podium results in classics in old US Postal times with Hincapie, Hoste, Armstrong and some other riders as well..

Agree.

I think Bruyneel, being a Belgian, would love a big classics next year win so he could have bragging rights back home. And then we as forum members could collectivelly write a book and call it We Might As Well Barf.

 

[Polish]

It will indeed be interesting to see where Horner lands. The way he was speaking in the article it sounded like he did not have much going in the way of options..

I would think the old politics and bridge-burning rules are coming into play about now.

Mewmew, I would have thouight that YOU would have appreciated Horner's humour.

Don't you realize Chris is playing "dumb" on purpose?
Impersonating guys like dimspace and macroadie and RR.

"Just because it is in a Bruyneel Blog does not make it real".
"I need to see an Official Announcement" lol lol lol.

Great one Chris!
Looking forward to an Amgen Tour of California Shack Repeat in 2012

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hor...mation-over-his-radioshack-nissan-trek-future

 

[Dr. Maserati]

But no press release on their website?

You're right, in fact there is little mention of cycling on their 'corporate website', someone should tell the marketing people at CSE to get on it.